PROVINCIAL PREMIERS FIVE DAY FORUM WITH PMO AND SOME KEY MINISTRIES KICKS OFF IN HONIARA
Provincial Premiers from the Nine Respective Provinces are convening at Heritage Park Hotel from 22nd – 28th September under the theme “Harnessing National and Provincial Governments Relationships for Positive Political and Economic Development”.
The Premiers forum with the PMO and some key Ministries was a direct result of the interactions the PM had with the Provincial Premiers during his visits to attend various Provincial Second Appointed Day Celebration Anniversaries this year. During those celebrations, the PM re-emphasized the need for national unity and the need for a dialogue on issues that would guarantee national unity. It is hoped that during this meeting with the Premiers, there would be discussions on how the National Government and the Provincial Governments may work together in the best interest of the nation. And in a manner that would ensure continued national unity.
Throughout his Provincial visits, Provincial Premiers renewed their calls for more resources for the Provincial Governments to be able to deliver their mandated responsibilities. The meeting would discuss redirection policy and how it impacts on the Nine Provinces including a way forward. At the end of the five day meeting the Premiers would agree a set of resolutions for consideration by the PM and the Cabinet.
The proposed agenda for the meeting include; National Government Re-Direction Policy development, Implications for PGs Development Programs, COVID-19 Preparedness/Response, Education Strategies for Schools during Covid-19-Implications for Provincial Governments, & Education Bill 2021- Updates, Land, Investments & Development in Provinces (Land & Titles Act), National Security/National Border Security/Policing under SOE/Covid-19, Provincial Government Act 1997- Implications for PGs: Current State of Things & Reforms, Fisheries & Fisheries Industry Development: Bina Tuna Processing & other Projects, Agriculture/Food Security Strategy During Covid-19, Provincial Governance Strengthening Program: MCs & PCDF Annual Assessments, PCDF Resource Mobilisations, Expectations for new Donor Funding, and MPGIS Update on Projects, Budgets, Capacity/HR, and Future expectations.
Some key Ministries that are going to do presentations are Ministry of Women, Youth, Children & Family Affairs, Solomon Island Electoral Commission, who are going to present on possible synchronization of General Election Dates at Parliamentary, Provincial and Honiara Town Council (HCC) for Simultaneous Elections, and Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet.
-GCU Press